Swing sets come in a variety of sizes and materials. Before you make any purchase, you should read these guidelines to ensure the safety and happiness of your children.
1. Measure the Size of Your Yard
You don't know how many returns have to be made due to a swing set being too big for a backyard upon bringing it back home.
Which is why, above everything else, the first thing you should do is to MEASURE the size of your backyard!
These should all be considered before you get a swing set. You will thank yourself for planning this out in the future. So MEASURE!
2. Swing Set Features
The very basic features of a swing set will usually include a swing and a slide.
Swings
Slides
Monkey bar
Fort
Sandboxes
In terms of swing, there is the baby swing, the glider or half-bucket swing for babies/toddlers. For older children, there are the buoy balls, tire swings and sling swings.
Then there is the monkey bar, ropes, tunnels, tires, sand pit or even fancier - a fort. So really, the combination is pretty endless!
So, think of what your children will like. Bring them to a park or a neighbour's house to test first and see what they like. This will help you choose the right swing set that your child will like.
It is always best to look for baby and toddler features that can be converted as your child grows.
Also, it is always a good idea to get double swings so that children can swing at the same time without having to take turns!
One extra tip: tire swings are more likely to collect rainwater which may invite nesting insects such as wasps so make sure regular cleaning is done if you're getting one.
3. Materials
The most common materials found in swing sets are plastic and wood.
The formal is less expensive and there is no need to worry about splinters, wasps and constant maintenance; while the latter is environmental friendly and easy to repair.
Plastic
Wooden
If budget is a factor, plastic is your go-to choice because they are generally less expensive (but still, is very safe). Note though, you will not be able to customize as freely as you want with plastic models.
With wood, there are several types with redwood and cedar (red or yellow) being the most preferred options due to their strength and durability. Also, they are resistant to rotting and are less likely to draw insects.
Try to avoid pine wood because it tends to deteriorate quickly. In fact, some models have been recalled by manufacturers due to the rotting elements resulting to fall hazards for children. You do not want that, so don't buy if it's pine wood!
4. Product Meets Safety Standards
Generally, there are no mandatory standards that manufacturers must follow.
It is therefore your responsibility as parents to safeguard your children against poorly made swing sets. Here are what you should look out for:
5. Read Reviews
Do your homework.
We cannot stress enough how important it is that you read as many customer reviews as you can before you buy any product.
You will be able to find out more by reading about other's people real-life experience, what they like, what they don't, what are they complaining about etc.
There are tons of reviews about swing sets just a simple click away on the Internet, for instance, you may want to start with this one first!
RELATED POSTS
Swing sets are not the only entertainment unit you can provide for your child.
There are many other outdoor activities that you can encourage your little one to participate in - not only are they fun, they also help develop your child's reflective and athletic motor skills too!
I liked when you talked about choosing a swing set based on the size of your yard. It makes sense that remembering this can help you make sure you make the most out of your space. I can see that remembering to check with several companies can help you find the set that best suits you needs and keep your kids entertained.